CSO Petitions Lagos Assembly Over Continous Land Grabbing Activities of Aare Bashir Fakorede; Attempt To Grab 27.65-Hectare Land Duly Allocated To Ojaekomo Family

The Centre for Public Accountability and Social Well-being (CPASW) has petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly over an alleged attempt by Bashiru Fakorede and members of the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family to undermine the state government’s decision on a 27.65-hectare parcel of land at Sapata Village, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The group in the petition submitted to the Speaker of the House during a peaceful protest that attracted over 500 protesters on Monday, August 24, alleged that members of the Ojaekomo family and their workers had been subjected to intimidation, harassment, arrest and other forms of victimisation in connection with the disputed property.

In the petition signed by the Director-General of the Centre for Public Accountability and Social Well-being, Shola Omolola Justice, and Secretary of the organisation, Oluwasegun Oluwagbamila, it urged the Assembly to urgently investigate the matter and ensure that the resolution of the House and subsequent actions by the Lagos State Government are respected by all parties.

According to the petition, the Ojaekomo family has had a longstanding connection with the Sapata Ojuokun waterfront area, dating back more than a century, before the family was affected by government acquisition of large areas along the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor.

The group said the Lagos State Government granted the Ojaekomo family an excision covering 60 hectares of wetland on November 13, 2015, under Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA/3834.

It said the family subsequently engaged Shaffykay & Co. Property Limited to undertake reclamation and development of the wetland, but alleged that members of the Ojomu family, led by Fakorede, began interfering with the activities.

The petition further stated that legal proceedings over the property commenced in 2021, while the Ojomu family subsequently obtained a Certificate of Occupancy, No. 99/99/2022E, in 2022 in respect of the 60-hectare wetland.

According to CPASW, the development prompted the Ojaekomo family to petition the Lagos State House of Assembly, which considered the matter on July 13, 2023.

The organisation said that following deliberations, the House, in a resolution dated August 3, 2023, apportioned the 60 hectares between the two families, allocating 32.42 hectares, representing 54 per cent, to the Ojomu Chieftaincy/Royal Family and 27.65 hectares, representing 46 per cent, to the Ojaekomo family.

It said the House specifically directed that the 27.65-hectare portion allocated to the Ojaekomo family should be distinctly carved out and surveyed in the family’s name to prevent further disputes.

The group further claimed that the Lagos State Government subsequently revoked the Certificate of Occupancy previously issued to the Ojomu family and took steps to implement the Assembly’s resolution.

It cited a letter dated October 29, 2025 from the Office of the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as confirming the government’s position on the implementation of the resolution.

CPASW also said the Office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State prepared two separate survey plans—LS/D/LA8451/A covering 32.42 hectares for the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family and LS/D/LA8451/B covering 27.65 hectares for the Ojaekomo family.

However, the organisation alleged that despite the government’s intervention, the dispute had continued, with members of the Ojaekomo family and their workers allegedly facing intimidation and interference on the 27.65-hectare portion.

The petition made further allegations against Fakorede, including the alleged deployment of armed persons and the use of security agencies to harass members of the Ojaekomo family.

It also alleged that some persons arrested in connection with the dispute had been subjected to the planting of weapons, including firearms and machetes.

The organisation stressed that the allegations were serious and should be independently investigated by the appropriate authorities.

It said the alleged conduct, if established, would go beyond an ordinary land dispute and raise concerns about the rule of law, abuse of public institutions and the protection of citizens from intimidation.

The group also urged the Assembly to investigate allegations that public officers or government agencies may have acted improperly in favour of either party.

Among its demands, CPASW asked the House to invite Fakorede, representatives of the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family, the Ojaekomo family and relevant government officials to appear before the appropriate committee and provide evidence concerning the dispute.

It also called for verification of the authenticity and implementation status of the August 3, 2023 Assembly resolution, as well as clarification of the status of the disputed Certificate of Occupancy.

The organisation further urged the House to authenticate the two survey plans and ensure that the 27.65-hectare portion allocated to the Ojaekomo family is clearly demarcated and protected from unlawful interference, subject to any subsisting order of a competent court.

It called on security authorities to investigate allegations of harassment, intimidation, unlawful arrest, planting of weapons and the deployment of armed persons in connection with the dispute.

CPASW also appealed to all parties to maintain peace and refrain from violence, intimidation, self-help or any action capable of escalating the dispute pending the resolution of outstanding legal proceedings.

The organisation said its petition was not merely about a private land dispute but also concerned the authority of government decisions, the integrity of legislative resolutions, the proper use of security agencies and the supremacy of the rule of law.

It urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to intervene promptly and ensure that the government’s decision concerning the 27.65 hectares allocated to the Ojaekomo family is implemented in accordance with the law.